A teenage girl from Lancaster has been praised for her quick thinking and first aid skills after she was able to help an injured man who had fallen from his bike.

Emily Barrett, who is 15 and from Abraham Heights, was in the car with her mother, on the way to enjoy a day out in Blackpool, when the incident occurred. She saw a crowd gathered around a man lying on the floor, who had apparently fallen off his bike, and asked her mum to stop the car to see if they could provide any assistance.

Emily, who has undergone first aid training and is a volunteer with a local first aid service, instantly knew what to do. She explained how she treated the confused yet conscious man, using a first aid kit the family carries in their car:

“He had a nasty cut over his eye that I treated and bandaged.

“Someone had called an ambulance so I just kept talking to him and reassuring him whilst we waited for the emergency services.

“When the paramedics arrived I explained what I had done and we left them to take care of the man.

“I might be a teenager but the first aid skills I’ve learned really can save lives. I would urge everyone to learn at least basic first aid, you never know when you might need it.”